Open Space Committee Regular Meeting April 2, 2014-Approved

OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – APRIL 2, 2014  

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Glassman called the Regular Meeting of the Open Space Committee to order at 4:35PM on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.  The meeting was held in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.  In attendance was Mary Glassman, First Selectman as well as the following committee members:  Helen Peterson and Majorie Winters.  Members Ed Pabich and Robert Pomeroy were absent.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

There was no one to speak at public audience.

HELEN’S WAY – BRING BACK THE MILKWEEDS

Joan Miller, 304 Firetown Road, discussed bringing back the Milkweeds along Helen’s Way on Ironhorse Boulevard.  Ms. Miller stated that the Milkweed plugs come in flats of 32 and are generally 3-5 inches high at the time of delivery.  She would expect the plants to be shipped in early May.  There would be a 15% discount if seven or more flats were ordered.  Ms. Miller stated that the cost would be $568.48 if approved by the Town.  The flats can contain Swamp Milkweed or Common Milkweed.   Ms. Miller stated that she has some volunteers to assist her in planting these plants.  She also stated that she is going to donate about 35 of her own home grown Orange Butterfly Weed to plant as well.

Ms. Peterson made a motion to endorse the project and appropriate $650.00 to fund this project.  Ms. Winters seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Ms. Glassman noted that she will put this on the Board of Selectmen agenda for the April 16, 2014 meeting.

ETHEL WALKER WOODS PROJECT

Ms. Glassman stated that the Town has had conversations with Ethel Walker regarding the next step to take after the final phase, which is recommended in the Capital Improvement plan.  She is requesting the endorsement of the Open Space Committee to support the final acquisition phase.

Ms. Glassman noted that the Town has to go to referendum to complete the final 43 acres purchase.  The purchase figure is $1,100,000; however, with $500,000 in grants, the final cost to the Town would be $600,000.

Ms. Winters made a motion to endorse the final phase of the Ethel Walker Woods Project.  Ms. Peterson seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Ms. Glassman stated that if the referendum passes, she would like to have a conversation with Ethel Walker on how to symbolize the transition of ownership from Ethel Walker to the Town of Simsbury.  Ms. Glassman discussed several items that need to be addressed.

Ms. Peterson made a motion to endorse a meeting with Ethel Walker to discuss the next steps.

Ms. Winters seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

PHAROS FARMS OPEN SPACE FUND

Ms. Glassman asked Mr. Toner to present the Pharos Farm Open Space Fund to the committee members.  She noted that the Town received $480,000 for Pharos Farm as part of the transaction of the land trust.  Ms. Glassman stated that the Board of Finance has indicated that they would like to put the $480,000 into the General Fund.  The Open Space Committee has endorsed appropriating some of the funds for maintenance of the Town’s Open Space.

Mr. Toner discussed some of the items in his handout that need to be completed in the next few years for maintenance under the Capital Improvement plan.   

Ms. Peterson stated that she is against any of the $480,000 being placed in the General Fund.  She believes that the Town has never been able to properly take care of the Open Space property due to lack of funds.

ADJOURN

Ms. Peterson made a motion to adjourn the April 2, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Open Space Committee at 5:10PM.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Winters and was unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary A. Glassman
First Selectman